US Nationals Arrested in Japan After Zoo Enclosure Stunt with Internet-Famous Monkey Punch
Two US nationals have been apprehended in Japan following an incident at Ichikawa City Zoo involving the internet-famous macaque, Punch. Police report one man, claiming to be a 24-year-old college student, scaled a fence to enter Punch's enclosure on Sunday morning, while his alleged accomplice, a 27-year-old singer, filmed the event. Both men deny the allegations, and authorities confirm no monkeys were injured.
Punch, a nine-month-old macaque, garnered millions of online views earlier this year after footage emerged of him embracing a stuffed orangutan toy provided by keepers, following his rejection by his mother. Eyewitness footage of the latest incident, shared on social media, shows an individual in a costume, reportedly promoting a cryptocurrency, jumping into the enclosure before being led out by a zookeeper.
The men were arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business, according to local media. Ichikawa City Zoo issued a statement on Monday, confirming a damage report had been filed with police. The zoo is implementing new security measures, including expanding viewing restriction areas and installing intrusion prevention nets. A complete ban on filming around the monkey enclosure and a temporary halt on filming requests from YouTubers are also under consideration. An Ichikawa Police official stated the men did not approach the animals and were quickly apprehended by zoo staff.
